In Europe, when the coach of a troubled team receives a vote of confidence from the club's board, it's usually a prelude to his sacking just a few days later. The phrase has now entered soccer parlance as 'the dreaded vote of confidence.' One can only hope for the sake of FC Dallas coach Schellas Hyndman that the choice of words has a different connotation in the U.S.

Dallas GM Michael Hitchcock assured Hyndman Wednesday that he will stay on as coach next season, regardless of whether or not his team makes the playoffs, reports Diego Aparicio. "One thing Schellas has brought to the team I think will help us continue to develop the franchise is his leadership," Hitchcock said. "We've seen it here during his short tenure, and Schellas has a plan of where we want to take the team in the long term."

Hyndman has two wins in 11 games since taking over for Steve Morrow. At home, it has won just once in five games and taken five points out of a possible 15 under the former college coach's tenure, and the team lies in sixth place in the Western Conference, three points out of a direct post-season berth. But Hitchcock said he believes the playoffs are within reach: "In MLS it's about the stretch run and peaking at the right time. Obviously, we are in a bit of a hole here. We are not in the playoffs, looking out. We are on the outside looking in. We are lucky that the conference is as tight as it is right now."